Call for Nominations: French Republic Human Rights Prize

Deadline: 04-Oct-2026

The French Republic Human Rights Prize Liberty–Equality–Fraternity is inviting individuals and non-governmental organizations worldwide to submit projects that promote the right to asylum and protect the fundamental rights of refugees, asylum seekers, and displaced persons. The 2026 edition focuses on legal protection, advocacy, administrative assistance, awareness-raising, training, and integration or resettlement initiatives, with five winners sharing a total grant of EUR 70,000 to support their projects. Established in 1988, the Prize recognizes grassroots initiatives advancing the promotion or protection of human rights in France and internationally. The 2026 theme marks the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Geneva Convention and emphasizes rights-based responses for people displaced by persecution, conflict, human rights violations, or climate disruption. The French Republic Human Rights Prize Liberty–Equality–Fraternity was established in 1988. The Prize is awarded by the Prime Minister of France to recognize and support grassroots initiatives that promote or protect human rights.

The award supports projects implemented:

The 2026 edition places a specific focus on the right to asylum and the rights of refugees, asylum seekers, and displaced persons. The 2026 edition focuses on the protection of the right to asylum and the fundamental rights of refugees, asylum seekers, and displaced persons. The theme recognizes the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Geneva Convention. The Prize highlights the need to protect people who have been forced to flee because of: The focus is on strengthening rights-based systems and ensuring that displaced people can access legal protection and exercise their fundamental rights. Projects should use a human-rights approach and focus on guaranteeing the right to asylum and fundamental rights.

Eligible project activities may include:

Projects should demonstrate how their activities address the rights and protection needs of refugees, asylum seekers, or displaced persons.

Applications are open to:

Applicants can apply regardless of their nationality or borders, provided they are implementing an eligible project that meets the human-rights focus of the Prize.

Eligible projects should:

The 2026 Prize seeks to support initiatives that strengthen systems based on the rule of law and improve access to rights for displaced people.

Projects may contribute to:

The Prize also emphasizes recognizing the positive contributions that refugees and displaced persons can make to host societies. Projects should focus on rights-based protection rather than direct material assistance. Applicants should therefore prioritize activities such as: Projects primarily focused on providing direct material assistance do not fit the stated focus of the 2026 edition. Five Prize winners will receive recognition at the official award ceremony in Paris.

The five winners will:

The total EUR 70,000 grant is shared among the five Prize winners rather than being awarded as EUR 70,000 to each winner. The next five highest-ranked candidates will receive a Special Mention medal.

Special Mention recipients:

Prize winners and Special Mention recipients may also benefit from the international protection of French diplomacy. The Prize provides international recognition and support for grassroots human-rights initiatives addressing the challenges faced by refugees, asylum seekers, and displaced people. The 2026 edition highlights the importance of: Applicants should clearly demonstrate how their project responds to the 2026 theme and addresses specific rights-related challenges.

A strong project should explain:

Applicants should avoid:

Applicants can strengthen their projects by: It is an annual human-rights prize established in 1988 to recognize and support grassroots initiatives promoting or protecting human rights in France and internationally. The 2026 edition focuses on protecting the right to asylum and the fundamental rights of refugees, asylum seekers, and displaced persons. Individuals and non-governmental organizations can apply, regardless of nationality or borders, provided their projects meet the eligibility requirements. Projects may focus on legal protection, advocacy, administrative assistance, public awareness, stakeholder training, integration, and resettlement, provided they use a human-rights-based approach. Five winners will share a total grant of EUR 70,000 to support their projects. No. The EUR 70,000 is an overall grant shared among the five Prize winners. The five winners are invited to Paris for the official award ceremony, receive a medal, and share the EUR 70,000 grant. The next five-ranked candidates receive a Special Mention medal. Special Mention recipients do not receive a financial award through the Prize. The 2026 edition is focused on rights-based activities such as legal protection, advocacy, administrative assistance, awareness, training, integration, and resettlement rather than direct material assistance. The 2026 edition recognizes the 75th anniversary of the 1951 Geneva Convention and highlights the continuing importance of protecting refugees and the right to asylum. Yes. Support for integration or resettlement is among the areas identified for the 2026 edition. The French Republic Human Rights Prize Liberty–Equality–Fraternity 2026 provides international recognition and financial support for grassroots projects protecting the rights of refugees, asylum seekers, and displaced persons. With a focus on legal protection, advocacy, administrative assistance, awareness, training, integration, and resettlement, the Prize seeks to strengthen rights-based approaches to asylum and displacement while supporting initiatives that uphold fundamental rights and the rule of law. For more information, visit CNCDH.